To celebrate Chris' birthday and our first year anniversary, we joined friends in Chicago for a fun filled weekend. Chris and I drove up Friday after work and went to Second City which is an improv club in Old Town. It is famous for being the club where many Saturday Night Live comedians got their start. I was there many years ago with my sister and brother in law and it was just as funny as I remembered it. Chris laughed uncontrollably which made it all the funnier. We are still mimicking some of the better lines given during the night.
The next morning we laughed when we realized the one of the sets of friends we were meeting up with was directly across the hall from us in the hotel. The four of us hit the magnificant mile for shopping, people watching, and enjoying the Christmas lights. I was able to show off the Marshall Field/Macy's Christmas windows to Chris who has never been downtown during the holidays.
As the sun was going down, I insisted we go to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building. Joe, one of the friends we were with, found $40 on the ground in Crate and Barrel so we treated ourselves to a cocktail.
After returning to the hotel from our shopping excursion, we linked up with another couple from Indianapolis who drove up for the occasion along with a third couple who were friends with Jeff and Joe and live in Chicago. We walked to a friend of mine's apartment to begin the evening. This is a picture of the guys as we headed out of the hotel. It was freezing cold and we all laughed when we realized they were all wearing their manly earmuffs.
Here is Chris cheesing it to the camera with Joe who decided to try on Hannah's fluffy hat.
Gary, my friend and hairstylist whose apartment we went to, has a friend who is well connected in the city. With two hours notice, she was able to get the ten of us a reservation to an incredible Italian restaurant. The food was amazing, the service was excellent, and bottles of wine were abundant. Gary, who is from Italy and has only lived in the states for a few years, ordered the appetizers and the wine. We let him run the show. I think when all was done as said, we had sung Chris happy birthday two or three times. He was given a shirt from the restaurant with a picture of a gigantic mouse on the front and back, a wine cork which we all signed, and a b-day card from me which had the game hangman on the inside. It became a table wide game and everyone pitched in to help him figure out his birthday gift...a subscription to Cooking Light and a date to a movie.
The night took us to a few other places downtown Chicago before we turned in for the evening and drove back home the next morning. Chris decided the weekend was one of his favorite weekends of the year. Gary decided we should do this every year. I decided Chicago is one of the best cities on earth.
Happy Birthday and Happy Anniverary. May this coming year be as wonderful as the last.
1 comment:
What a blast in Chicago! Can I come next year?!! Happy belated birthday Chris, and happy anniversary to both of you. Chicago is great--but when are you both going to try Berlin?!
Love, Me
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